Binge drinking in early adolescence : Results of the "Präventionsradar" from 2016 to 2023

Abstract

In Germany, no other psychotropic substance is consumed as often and in such large quantities during adolescence as alcohol. This work aims to examine trends in binge drinking in early adolescence from 2016 to 2023. Based on seven waves of the "Präventionsradar," which is aschool-based epidemiological study in lower secondary education, the lifetime as well as the 30-day prevalence of binge drinking (for girls4, for boys5 alcoholic drinks on one occasion) were determined for the period from 2016 to 2023 for 12- to 15-year-olds. The analyses were based on 44,713 questionnaires. The sex ratio was balanced (50% female), and the mean age was 13.8years (SD = 1.02). From 2016 to 2023, lifetime prevalence of binge drinking increased significantly by 3.6percentage points to 25.3% (95% confidence interval 24.1-26.5). The 30-day prevalence did not change statistically during the observation period and was 15.9% (95% CI 14.9-16.9) in 2023. Compared to the previous year, both lifetime prevalence (-2.5percentage points) and 30-day prevalence of binge drinking (-3.5percentage points) decreased significantly in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020/2021) and increased again in subsequent years. Systematic differences between the genders could not be found. The German Youth Protection Act does not allow legal access to alcohol for the age group under study. Against this background, it is worrying that every fourth adolescent already reports experiences of binge drinking. Consistent structural and behavioral prevention measures are necessary to curb the high prevalence of binge drinking in childhood and adolescence.